Students hold rally for accessible education

REGINA, Feb. 1, 2012 /CNW/ - Students at the University of Regina and First Nations University of Canada will be joining students across the country in a National Day of Action to demand that the federal government take responsibility for funding post-secondary education.

"Saskatchewan students' message to the federal government is loud and clear," said Haanim Nur, Saskatchewan Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students. "It is time to increase education funding, reduce tuition fees, and finally lift the 2% cap on the Post-Secondary Student Support Program."

Over the past two decades students have seen tuition fees increase by almost 200%, more than the cost of food, transportation, rent, books, or inflation. Approximately one-third of students in Saskatchewan have to take on debt in order attend university or college. The average public debt that students take on in Saskatchewan is $19,000.

Due to the 2% cap on the Post-Secondary Student Support Program, this year alone in Saskatchewan one-third of students that applied for funding were turned down.

"The costs of post-secondary education have been downloaded onto the backs of students and their families for far too long," said Nur. "It's time for the federal government to step up to the plate, fund education adequately, and invest in Canada's future."

Students and community members will march starting at 11:30am at the Dr. William Riddell Centre at the University of Regina. A rally will take place at noon outside the First Nations University of Canada.

The Canadian Federation of Students represents students at the University of Regina and the University of Saskatchewan and more than one-half million students in all ten provinces. The Canadian Federation of Students and its predecessor organisations have represented students in Canada since 1927.

Haanim Nur, Saskatchewan Chairperson, 306-586-8811, [email protected]
Alanna Makinson, Prairies Organiser, 306-209-7304, [email protected]
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